Cotton cultivator



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Patented May 27, 1924.

LOUIS MATIJAS, OF SHINEE, TEXAS.

COTTON CULTIVATOR. 'i i' i Application filed February 16, 1922. Seria1,No.-536,98K2.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LOUIS MATIJAS, a citizen of Czechoslovakia, residing at Shiner, in the county of Lavaca and State of Texas,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton Cultivators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto certain new and useful improvements in cotton cultivators and has particular reference to a cotton chopping machine wherein a rotatable chopping or cutting element is driven by the ground wheels of the machine with the machine frame supporting digging plows, and with a receptacle carried by the rear end of the frame for receiving the cut plants;

A further object of the invention embodies in a cotton chopping' machine a rotatable chopping or cutting element sup ported on a swingingly mounted frame with devices for varying the distance between the cutting element and the ground line.

Vith the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sanieconsists of the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown vin the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away of a cotton cultivator constructed in accordance, with the present invention, showing the adjustable means for vertically shifting the cutting element,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the driving connection between the frame axle and cutting element,

Figure 3 is a detaii sectional view taken on line III-HI of Fig. 1 showing the hub of 'the cutting and driving pulley therefor,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of one of the feet or blades of the cutting element, and

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line V- 7 of Fig. 4 showing the adjustable mounting of the blade.

isl

Referring more in detail to the accom-` from the rear ends of said bars.

A cotton chopping wheel is rotatably supported intermediate the side bars 1 and between the front and rear yground wheel 3 and 7, the wheel including a hub 9 secured to the stub shaft 10 by the anchoring pin 11 with the shaft 10 journaled in the rear lower ends of the lever bars 12 that are pivotally supported at their upper ends as at 18 to the draft beam 4Q A pulley 14 is secured to a projecting end of the stub shaft 10 and is spaced from lthe hub 9 by the collar 15, a pulley 16 securedv to the axle 2 intermediate the frame bars 1 having a blade connection 17 with the pulley 14 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Radial spokes or arms 18 are carried by the hub 9.and havel angularly directed arcuate feet 19 formed at they outer ends thereof,'and upon which feet the cutting blades 2O are adjustably mounted, each ycutter blade having a longitudinal shouldered slot 21 formed therein for the reception of the headedscrew bolt22 that projects through an opening in the angle foot 19 of the arm 18 and is suitably secured therein by a lock nut, the cutting blade 20 being longitudinally adjustable over the angle foot 19 with all of the cutting blades eX- tending in the same direction.

To vary the distance between the cutting member and the ground line and to constir tute a support therefor, a strap iron 23 having the lower ends thereof journaled on the stub shaft 10 at opposite sides of the hub 9, is provided with rack teeth 24 upon the rear edges thereof that engage the upper end of the inverted U-sliaped beam support 6 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the strap iron 23 enclosing the beam 4 and having an arm extension 25 while a coil spring 26 extends between the outer end of the arm extension 25 and the beam 4 to effect engagement of the rack teeth 24 of the strap iron with the U-shaped frame 6.

Digging plows 27 are adjustably supported on the frame bars 1 and are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the cutting element, while a receptacle 28 is supported on the frame bars rearwardly of the cutting element.

The cutting element is rotated by the belt connection between the pulleys 14 and 16 on the stub shaft l0 and the aXle 2 respectively, all blades 20 effectively cutting the cotton or other plants and delivering the same as indicated by the arrow into the receptacle 28. The digging plows 27 are provided for unearthing the roots of the plants, the device being especially employed for thinning or cultivating a cotton field. The adjustability of the strap iron 23 provides for the shifting of the cutting element while the adjustable mounting ot the cutting blades 20 Will permit a greater length of movement of the blades in proximity of the ground line.

7While lthere is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as claimed.

What is claimed as new is l. A cotton chopper of the type described comprisinga trame, ground wheels therefor, al rotatable cutting element pivotally supported on the frame, connections between the rcutting element and ground Wheels for rotating thev same, and a ten- 'sioned strap iron associated with the cutting element and trame for vertically shitting the cutting element.

, 2. A cotton chopper of the type described comprising side bars, ground` wheels theretor, a draft bar, brace bars secured to said side bars and draft lbar for supporting the latter', a rotatable cutting element pivotally secured tothe draft bar, and a tensioned strap iron associated with the cutting element and draft bar for vertically shifting the cutting element.

8. A cotton chopper of the type described comprising side bars, ground wheels therefor, a dratt bar, brace bars secured to said side bars and draft bar orsupporting the latter, a rotatable cutting element pivotally secured to the draft bar, a tensioned strap iron associated with the cutting element and draft bar for vertically shifting the cutting element, and a connection between the cutting element and ground wheel for driving said element.

4f. A cotton chopper of the type described comprising side bars, ground wheels therefor, a drait bar7 brace bars rigidly connecting said draft bar to the side bars, a rotatable cutting element7 lever bars pivotally connecting said cutting elements to the drait bar, a strap iron pivotally associated with said cutting element and adapted to adjustably engage one ot the said brace bars7 associated with said draft bar, for vertically adjusting the'cutting elements, and a resilient connection between said strap iron and draft bar tor retaining said iron in adjusted engagement with said brace bars.

ln testimony whereof I alhx my signature.

hi Louis Mariana mark Witnesses: Y

C. H. STRATMAN, JOHN J. VALns, Jr. 

